It's very important that you never depend on money to fulfill your creative vision. If you do that, you're doomed to fail.

I live in Topanga Canyon, which is like a faux-rustic enclave in Los Angeles. I love the sounds of all the critters outside - the frogs, owls, crickets, and birds. Some of the birds around here are pretty accomplished musicians. You can learn a lot from them.

I'm not in a position in my career where I turn things down. I'm very easy. So the projects often dictate the direction you will go in. I welcome things that challenge me.

I like directors that give their composer a juicy role in their films. Some films have a small, minor role for music, some have a larger role.

I think there is quite a continuity over my 25 years of doing music, and I'm always trying to break away from it.

I've never tried to work chronologically. I don't think I have the discipline to do that.

I got fed up with being in bands. I spent a couple of years touring the country in a smoked filled band, doing lots of drugs and being really unhealthy.